How do I check my RRSP contribution room?

The fastest way is to log into CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account and check under "RRSP and PRPP." Your "RRSP deduction limit" listed there is the maximum you can contribute before the RRSP deadline (March 1, 2026 for the 2025 tax year). This number is updated after your prior year tax return is assessed. You can also find it on line A of your most recent Notice of Assessment.

Where on my Notice of Assessment is my RRSP room?

Your RRSP deduction limit is printed on the NOA issued after your most recent tax return was processed. Look for the section titled "RRSP/PRPP deduction limit statement" — usually toward the bottom. It shows your limit for the upcoming year. For example, the NOA for your 2025 return (which you file in 2026) shows your RRSP deduction limit for 2026.

How is new RRSP room calculated each year?

You earn new RRSP room equal to 18% of your prior year earned income, up to the annual maximum ($32,490 for 2025 income contributing to 2026 room). Earned income includes employment income, self-employment income, and net rental income — but not investment income, capital gains, EI, or OAS. Any unused room from prior years carries forward indefinitely. Pension adjustments from workplace pension plans reduce your room dollar-for-dollar.

Can my RRSP room be negative?

Your RRSP deduction limit on the NOA should not be negative. However, the running available room can temporarily appear negative if you contributed before your prior year return was assessed (room not yet updated) or if you over-contributed. If you see a negative number in My Account, it may mean CRA has not yet processed your latest return. An actual over-contribution triggers a 1% monthly penalty tax on amounts more than $2,000 over your limit.

What is the $2,000 lifetime over-contribution buffer?

CRA allows you to over-contribute up to $2,000 above your RRSP deduction limit as a lifetime buffer without penalty. You cannot deduct this excess from income, but it sits in the RRSP tax-sheltered. If you exceed the limit by more than $2,000, the 1% per month penalty tax applies to the excess above $2,000 until it is withdrawn or offset by new room.

Does my pension reduce my RRSP room?

Yes. If you belong to a defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan at work, your pension adjustment (PA) — reported in Box 52 of your T4 — reduces your RRSP room. The PA represents the benefit value your employer's pension is accruing for you. A common example: a defined benefit plan that accrues 2% per year of a $100,000 salary generates a PA of approximately $16,000–$18,000, significantly reducing your personal RRSP room for that year.

What happens to unused RRSP room when I turn 71?

You can contribute to your RRSP until December 31 of the year you turn 71. After that, you must convert your RRSP to a RRIF or annuity. Any unused RRSP room is forfeited — it does not carry over to a spousal RRSP after the conversion deadline. If you have a younger spouse, you can contribute to a spousal RRSP until they turn 71.

How Do I Know If I Have Unused RRSP Room?

Knowing your RRSP room before contributing is essential — over-contributing by more than $2,000 triggers a 1% monthly penalty. The good news is your room is easy to find in two places.

The two best places to find your RRSP room

1. CRA My Account (real-time, after your return is assessed)

Log into canada.ca/my-cra-account
Go to “RRSP and PRPP” in the left menu
Your “RRSP deduction limit” is displayed along with a breakdown of how it was calculated

This number reflects your room as of today if your last tax return has been assessed. If you filed recently and the return is still processing, the number may not yet include this year’s new room.

2. Your Notice of Assessment

After CRA processes your return, your NOA includes an “RRSP/PRPP deduction limit statement” showing:

Line	What it shows
Your 2024 RRSP deduction limit	Unused room from prior years
+ 18% of 2024 earned income	New room earned this year
− Pension adjustment (Box 52 T4)	Reduction for workplace pension
− Past service pension adjustment	One-time reduction for retroactive pension credit
+ Pension adjustment reversal (if any)	Adds back room if you left a pension plan
= Your 2025 RRSP deduction limit	Amount you can contribute before March 1, 2026

How new RRSP room is calculated

You earn 18% of last year’s earned income, up to the annual maximum:

Tax year	Maximum new room	Income required to max
2022	$29,210	$162,278
2023	$30,780	$171,000
2024	$31,560	$175,333
2025	$32,490	$180,500
2026	$32,490	$180,500

What counts as “earned income” for RRSP purposes

Counts	Does NOT count
Employment income (T4)	Investment income (dividends, interest)
Self-employment income	Capital gains
Net rental income	RRSP/RRIF withdrawals
Royalties	OAS/CPP/GIS payments
Alimony/support received	EI benefits

If your RRSP room is different than expected

Common reasons your available room may be lower than you calculated:

Reason	Explanation
Pension adjustment (PA)	Reduces room by the value of pension plan accrual (Box 52 T4)
Prior year contributions not yet reflected	CRA has not finished processing your last return
Over-contribution in a prior year	Excess was applied against your room
PA transfer or past service PA	Retroactive pension credit reduced room

Common reasons your room may be higher than expected:

Reason	Explanation
Pension adjustment reversal (PAR)	You left an employer and the pension benefit did not vest — room restored
Unused room from many prior years	Never maxed out contributions — it all carries forward
Prior year reassessment increased earned income	CRA corrected an income figure upward

Should you contribute even if the deadline has passed?

The RRSP contribution deadline for deducting against the prior tax year is March 1 (or March 2 in leap years). Contributions after March 1, 2026 count against your 2026 taxes (filed in 2027), not 2025.

However, you can contribute at any time of year — the deadline only affects which tax year you can deduct it on. If you have unused room, contributing in April 2026 just means you claim the deduction on your 2026 return.

Tracking contributions through the year

To avoid over-contributing, track your contributions across all RRSP accounts:

Your own RRSP: Check contribution statements from your bank or brokerage
Spousal RRSP (if you contribute to a spouse’s RRSP): These use your room, not your spouse’s
Group RRSP: Employer contributions to a group RRSP typically reduce your room (check your T4, Box 52)

RRSP room vs. RRSP limit — a common source of confusion

Term	Meaning
RRSP deduction limit	The total amount you can contribute and deduct as of this year
Unused RRSP room	Same as deduction limit — your carry-forward + new room − prior contributions
Over-contribution	Amount you contributed above your deduction limit
$2,000 buffer	You can be $2,000 over without penalty (but you cannot deduct the excess)